Old Guy Game Guide- Spider-Man 2 part A

This is late. Not a big surprise from me and video games. However, the reason is different than  the usual- "I started playing a decade after it was released." 

There will be spoilers. If I could finish the game by now, so can anyone else.

The Bronx Zoo, Always There For Us

The Bronx Zoo has always been there for me, and the rest of my family. It was one of Rosa and my first dates. It's a place that always feels like home. 

We needed a break with some quiet time together, and, as always, the Zoo provided. The heavy traffic on the George Washington Bridge originally shown vanished by the time we reached it. Once we arrived at the Zoo, we had the place almost completely to ourselves. I don't think I've ever seen the Bronxdale Parking Lot that empty. 

Speaking of needing a break, here's some random photos I took instead of any detailed prose. The phone transfer did something weird and I lost a few. Including one of the coolest pictures I've ever taken there. Alas.

Y'know, It's Hard Not To Like This, Okay - December 19, 2024

Due to Anabelle having an afternoon final the last possible day, I continued my trend of enjoying "other people's" shows at the most famous venue in this country. Rosa and I went to see Andrea Bocelli's 30th Anniversary tour the second night he was at Madison Square Garden. She had wanted to see him since before we'd met, and the timing, location and everything else had never worked out before. Because of the ticket magic she had conjured for Anabelle, we had a credit in Ticketmaster when this show was announced. 

Christmas Music Trivia!

Christmas Time is famous for two things in our home.

Action Figures and weird music!

To be honest, the whole year is famous for those two things. 

However, Christmas Time is when we advertise it more.

But first, here's the usual guest writer and figure poser to kick off the season- 

The Marvel Holiday Actors are here as per usual to put on a show, this year bringing to life the Rankin Bass Classic Jack Frost. Since I (Anabelle) hadn’t discovered the absolute MAJESTY that is Jack Frost when we did the Rankin Bass setup that one time, we went full force into it this year. Here are all the roles:

A Rare, Cool Moment in My Life- June 13, 2024

Last year it was announced that Niall Horan- "The Show: Live on Tour" would be playing Madison Square Garden. He is Anabelle's favorite singer. Following the Taylor Swift mess, she and Rosa did much online jiggery pokery  (mostly Rosa, she excels at that) when the tickets dropped and first scored her a 100 level seat in the stands for Friday's concert, but then a floor seat for the Thursday performance. The Friday ticket was sold off at list price, because we are not evil.

A Little Hop of Showers

That title would have worked better if it rained. Then again, the day wouldn't have.

It certainly has been the summer of funny stage tragedies for us. This one was planned further in advance ,however. Earlier in the summer, Anabelle and Rosa had a "Manhattan Day" to go see a Yayoi Kusama exhibit.

It's Only a Model... Shhhhhhh.

I think I've set a record for going from: 

"Not knowing a thing exists,"

to

"Mourning the fact that others won't be able to experience the outstanding talent, thought provoking content and emotion now that a thing is over."

Moving in New Family Directions

Anabelle is two years out of High School, but I still have the privilege to help the Danceworks Moving Company bring joy to those who can't get out to find it on their own. This is because both nieces are in the Senior Company (Aah! how did that happen), my sister is an employee, and now my nephew is in the Junior Company. When certificates were handed out, Miss Chris made a cool nod that he's the first ever male dancer in Moving Company and a trailblazer. The rest of the Company erupted in cheers because Miss Chris is awesome and fosters incredible bonds between the dancers.

Third Time's Yat-Charm

All my reviews of shows, movies - and now concerts -  will likely be late for a while. 

That's the down side of planning and preparation, I suppose.

Spider-Man Trilogy Through a Kid’s Eyes

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Through Multiple Kids’ Eyes Part 2

Click here for part 1

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Through Multiple Kids’ Eyes Part 1

There is something amazing about being surrounded by human creative achievement from all over the world throughout history that has increased our visits and my desire to relate them.

There is also something about combining children with Five Thousand years of artistic output that always becomes a source of comedy gold.

Hold Your Breath, Take a Whiff, Count To Three

Come With Me…

Anabelle and Daddy Ad-veeeeen-tures! Yeah! *Jazz Hands* Day 17 –August 4

Jurassic Parking

Because of the latest in a string of late nights, we both were a bit reluctant when the alarm went off… until we remembered it was Museum of Natural History day!

Jeff’s Cultural Hints:Art Stuff Part Two

Click Here for Part One

HINT SIX:

Jeff’s Cultural Hints:Art Stuff Part One

The recent travelogue about my daughter and my trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art probably came as a surprise to many…

Especially if they’ve been reading anything else I’ve written, all of which piles up substantial evidence of my pride in being an uncultured boor.

However, the MET ranks with the Bronx Zoo, and the Natural History Museum, as New York locations where I feel at home.

My slightly askew perspective from the rampant snootiness often associated with the fine arts may help others of the “uncultured boor” variety to find the same enjoyment there I have.

Therefore, I have compiled a set of ten helpfulish hints on the enjoyment of the massive collection of treasures

Shall we begin?

Anabelle and Daddy Ad-veeeeen-tures! Yeah! *Jazz Hands* Day 11 -July 29

Art for Our Sake

Anabelle and Daddy Ad-veeeeen-tures! Yeah! *Jazz Hands* Day 4 -July 22

Highly Zoological

With today being the official Sixth Anniversary of this blog, a detailed account of the Bronx Zoo is fitting.

The goal of the Anabelle and Daddy Adveeeeeen-tuuuures! Yeah! *Jazz Hands* was for my daughter and I to share time on our own. Yet the trip to the Bronx Zoo occurred with my sister, her kids and my Mom as well.

There is a perfectly sensible reason for this.

Anabelle and Daddy Ad-veeeeen-tures! Yeah! *Jazz Hands* Prelude - July 10

A Park in the Walk

Before Rosa took her Mom back home, she wanted her to see Central Park.

The Circle of Traffic

After several mistakes, mishaps and misadventures I made sure we had the address of the garage we use in Hoboken logged, and the methodology of the metrocard memorized for this year’s trip to Broadway.

Then I found out - with only three days’ notice - that the Path Trains were under maintenance and not running on the 33^rd Street line any weekends this fall.